2013-14 Washington Wizards Awards
Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2014 1:03 pm
With the regular season drawing to a close, it's time to select the 2013-14 Wizards team awards.
Let's start with team MVP.
John Wall - This is a one-horse race. Clearly, Wall has made 'the leap' to be a top 5 PG in the league. Averaging nearly 20ppg and 9apg with a PER of 19.7, most of us believe he has passed the more lauded Kyrie Irving (21/6/20.1). His jumper is getting more consistent, he's shooting 43.3% from the floor and his assist to turnover ratio is 2.4.
Trevor Ariza - There have been games where Ariza has carried us (remember the 40 pt 8-3pt performance against Philly?). He has upped his production to just over 14ppg (from 9.5ppg last season) and is still our defensive stopper. I know it's his contract year and he's tailed off a bit of late (shooting under 30% over last 5 games), but without him, I think we would have lost 3-5 (or more) games.
Marcin Gortat - We got the Polish Hammer when Okafor went down just before the start of the season. Gortat has been the steady, needed force in the middle (especially after Nene took his annual pilgramage to the DL) and in the locker room. He leads the team in rebounds (9.4 rpg) and blocked shots (1.5 bpg).
My ballot: 1. Wall 2. Ariza 3. Gortat
Defensive Player of the Year.
Marcin Gortat - As above, leading the team in rebounds and blocked shots (not to mention 3-pt %!). Strong presence in the middle while only averaging 32-33 min/game.
Trevor Ariza - Aside what he brings as a viable 3rd (and sometimes 2nd) scoring option, he is this team's go-to stopper. 2nd on the team with 1.64 spg and hauling in 6.4 rpg from the SF position isn't bad, either.
John Wall - leads the team with 1.8 spg. Has gotten more focused on defense, which, aside from his developing jumpshot, may be his biggest liability. Also hauling down 4 rpg - which is pretty good for a PG.
My ballot: 1. Gortat 2. Ariza 3. Wall
Sixth Man:
Martell Webster - Got paid (some said overpaid) and having a down year, but still averaging a respectable 10 ppg with a 11.7 PER in 28 min of action per night.
Drew Gooden - Like some on this board, I was a heckler of Ernie's latest find, but over the last 20 games or so, has really played quite well, averaging 8.5ppg and has a great PER of 18.4. Tailed off a bit over the past few games, but Uncle Drew has bailed us out on many a night.
Trevor Booker - Occasional spot starter in Nene's absence who brings energy off the bench as an undersized 4. Averaging 6.5 ppg and 5.5 rpg. PER of 14.7 also.
Andre Miller - Picked up in a deadline deal, the professor is more than complementary backup to give Wall a breather. He is averaging 4ppg, 3apg and 2rpg with a 14.7 PER. Not bad, espceially when compared to the guy he replaced.
My ballot: 1. Gooden 2. Miller 3. Webster Honorable mention - Kevin Seraphin
Most Improved Player (MIP):
John Wall - Can a player be MVP and MIP in the same year? Sure, why not? Wall has really shown that he is a budding leader of this squad and worthy of his MAX contract. Improved in PPG, SPG, 3-Pt % and MPG.
Bradley Beal - Gets a lot of chiding on this board for his long 2's, but looking at his numbers, he has improved his ppg (17.0 to 14.0), assists (2.4 to 3.3) and 3-PT % (39 to 40). His numbers would look even better if he could get to the line more often (still only averaging under 3 ft/game).
Trevor Booker - After an injury plauged season ago, Booker T has improved in PPG (6.6 from 5.2), FG% (54 from 49).
Trevor Ariza - Yes, I know it's a contract year, but look at what he has done...increased his PPG from 9.5 to 14.3, FG% from 42 to 45%, knocking down the 3-ball at a higher clip (41% this year, 36% last year) while grabbig more rebounds too (6.2 this year, compared to 4.8 last season).
My ballot: 1. Wall 2.Ariza 3. Booker
Long post, I know. But I am curious to hear what the Wizards experts think...let's hear it!
Let's start with team MVP.
John Wall - This is a one-horse race. Clearly, Wall has made 'the leap' to be a top 5 PG in the league. Averaging nearly 20ppg and 9apg with a PER of 19.7, most of us believe he has passed the more lauded Kyrie Irving (21/6/20.1). His jumper is getting more consistent, he's shooting 43.3% from the floor and his assist to turnover ratio is 2.4.
Trevor Ariza - There have been games where Ariza has carried us (remember the 40 pt 8-3pt performance against Philly?). He has upped his production to just over 14ppg (from 9.5ppg last season) and is still our defensive stopper. I know it's his contract year and he's tailed off a bit of late (shooting under 30% over last 5 games), but without him, I think we would have lost 3-5 (or more) games.
Marcin Gortat - We got the Polish Hammer when Okafor went down just before the start of the season. Gortat has been the steady, needed force in the middle (especially after Nene took his annual pilgramage to the DL) and in the locker room. He leads the team in rebounds (9.4 rpg) and blocked shots (1.5 bpg).
My ballot: 1. Wall 2. Ariza 3. Gortat
Defensive Player of the Year.
Marcin Gortat - As above, leading the team in rebounds and blocked shots (not to mention 3-pt %!). Strong presence in the middle while only averaging 32-33 min/game.
Trevor Ariza - Aside what he brings as a viable 3rd (and sometimes 2nd) scoring option, he is this team's go-to stopper. 2nd on the team with 1.64 spg and hauling in 6.4 rpg from the SF position isn't bad, either.
John Wall - leads the team with 1.8 spg. Has gotten more focused on defense, which, aside from his developing jumpshot, may be his biggest liability. Also hauling down 4 rpg - which is pretty good for a PG.
My ballot: 1. Gortat 2. Ariza 3. Wall
Sixth Man:
Martell Webster - Got paid (some said overpaid) and having a down year, but still averaging a respectable 10 ppg with a 11.7 PER in 28 min of action per night.
Drew Gooden - Like some on this board, I was a heckler of Ernie's latest find, but over the last 20 games or so, has really played quite well, averaging 8.5ppg and has a great PER of 18.4. Tailed off a bit over the past few games, but Uncle Drew has bailed us out on many a night.
Trevor Booker - Occasional spot starter in Nene's absence who brings energy off the bench as an undersized 4. Averaging 6.5 ppg and 5.5 rpg. PER of 14.7 also.
Andre Miller - Picked up in a deadline deal, the professor is more than complementary backup to give Wall a breather. He is averaging 4ppg, 3apg and 2rpg with a 14.7 PER. Not bad, espceially when compared to the guy he replaced.
My ballot: 1. Gooden 2. Miller 3. Webster Honorable mention - Kevin Seraphin
Most Improved Player (MIP):
John Wall - Can a player be MVP and MIP in the same year? Sure, why not? Wall has really shown that he is a budding leader of this squad and worthy of his MAX contract. Improved in PPG, SPG, 3-Pt % and MPG.
Bradley Beal - Gets a lot of chiding on this board for his long 2's, but looking at his numbers, he has improved his ppg (17.0 to 14.0), assists (2.4 to 3.3) and 3-PT % (39 to 40). His numbers would look even better if he could get to the line more often (still only averaging under 3 ft/game).
Trevor Booker - After an injury plauged season ago, Booker T has improved in PPG (6.6 from 5.2), FG% (54 from 49).
Trevor Ariza - Yes, I know it's a contract year, but look at what he has done...increased his PPG from 9.5 to 14.3, FG% from 42 to 45%, knocking down the 3-ball at a higher clip (41% this year, 36% last year) while grabbig more rebounds too (6.2 this year, compared to 4.8 last season).
My ballot: 1. Wall 2.Ariza 3. Booker
Long post, I know. But I am curious to hear what the Wizards experts think...let's hear it!
